With the 2008 election of Barack Obama, favorable attitudes toward the U.S. more than doubled in many Arab countries. But in the two years since his famous Cairo speech, ratings for both the U.S. and the President have spiraled downwards. The President is seen overwhelmingly as failing to meet the expectations set during his speech, and the vast majority of those surveyed disagree with U.S policies.

In five out of the six countries surveyed, the U.S. was viewed less favorably than Turkey, China, Franceor Iran. Far from seeing the U.S. as a leader in the post-Arab Spring environment, the countries surveyed viewed U.S. interference in the Arab world as the greatest obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East, second only to the continued Palestinian occupation.

While the vehemence of Arab reaction to the U.S. was startling, the general sentiment echoed points made in AAI President James Zogbys 2010 book Arab Voices, in which he reflected on Arab opinions of both the U.S. and our foreign policies. American democracy [seems] a lot like damaged goods to many Arabs U.S. policy in the region has increasingly undermined Arab attitudes toward America as a global model.

Executive Summary

 After improving with the election of Barack Obama in 2008, U.S. favorable ratings across the Arab world have plummeted. In most countries they are lower than at the end of the Bush Administration, and lower than Iran's favorable ratings (except in Saudi Arabia).

 The continuing occupation of Palestinian lands and U.S. interference in the Arab world are held to be the greatest obstacles to peace and stability in the Middle East.

 While many Arabs were hopeful that the election of Barack Obama would improve U.S.-Arab relations, that hope has evaporated. Today, President Obama's favorable ratings across the Arab world are 10% or less.

 Obama's performance ratings are lowest on the two issues to which he has devoted the most energy: Palestine and engagement with the Muslim world.

 The U.S. role in establishing a no-fly zone over Libya receives a positive rating only in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, but, as an issue, it is the lowest priority.

 The killing of bin Laden only worsened attitudes toward the U.S.

 A plurality says it is too early to tell whether the Arab Spring will have a positive impact on the region. In Egypt, the mood is mixed. Only in the Gulf States are optimism and satisfaction levels high.

Should read muslim world. Not all Arabs and people of the Middle East are muslims. That being said, the muslims really need to be put in their place. They need to get along, or get destroyed, no in-between will be acceptable.

“The muslims really need to be put in their place. They need to get along, or get destroyed, no in-between will be acceptable.”

The world has had to do this before, and I guess we will have to do it again! They don’t plan on getting along, so their destruction will come because the rest of the world isn’t going to tolerate their behavior.

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.